New alert system to help Kelowna families find missing seniors

A homecare company that services Kelowna has set up a new program to keep seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s safe.

For someone living looking after a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia who is often wandering or getting lost, it can be a very nerve wracking and stressful scenario.

In total, nearly 50% of these family members have experienced a loved one with Alzheimer’s wandering, according to a recent survey conducted by Home Instead, Inc. Of those, nearly one in five called the police for assistance. To help families keep their loved ones safe, the Home Instead Senior Care network has launched a free tool, the Missing Senior NetworkSM, now available in Kelowna and Penticton.

Available at their new website, the platform enables family caregivers to alert a network of friends, family and businesses via text or email to be on the lookout for a missing senior.

Families can also choose to post an alert to the Home Instead Remember for Alzheimer’s Facebook page, connected to 270,000 followers.

“Seniors with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia often wander with a purpose, whether it is to return to a former job or even visit family or friends” said Dr. Paulina Gasiorowska. “Wandering can put seniors at risk for injury so it’s important for family members to be aware of these risks in order to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their loved ones.”

Factors that can trigger wandering:

1. Delusions or hallucinations.
2. Overstimulation.
3. Fatigue, especially during late afternoons and evenings.
4. Disorientation to place and time.
5. Change in routine.